Oct. 1 message to all families from Interim Superintendent Dr. John Murray
On Oct. 1, Interim Superintendent Dr. John Murray shared a message with all families and staff regarding events at Meadowbrook High School. See the message here.
What to do when problems arise
Everyone within Chesterfield County Public Schools works to support students and help them grow into strong young people. When problems arise that get in the way of learning, schools want to connect with students and families to solve those problems. But we can only solve problems that we know about, so communicating to school staff members is how problem-solving starts. That’s the topic of this CCPS in the Know video. Bonus: This easy-to-understand chart is a handy reference.
Do you have a question that you’d like answered via CCPS in the Know? This video series gives quick-but-helpful insights into central Virginia's largest school system. If you have a question for CCPS in the Know, then ask it here. We’ll cover as many topics as we can. You can see all of the videos via this playlist, with captions available in English and in Spanish for each video on our YouTube channel.
All Chesterfield County schools are accredited
The Virginia Department of Education announced Sept. 30 that every Chesterfield County school is accredited for the 2024-25 school year and that the school system’s on-time graduation rate is 91% overall.
“Our data reflects focused work by students, teachers and schools,” said Dr. John Murray, interim superintendent. “Chesterfield County Public Schools is committed to helping our students achieve the bright futures they are capable of. This is a school division where parents want to enroll their children because they know they will learn and grow. The entire community can be proud of Chesterfield County Public Schools and confident in our future.”
On-time graduation tracks the percentage of students who graduate from high school in four years. Data shows 5,199 students started in the class of 2024 for Chesterfield County Public Schools and that 4,741 of those students graduated in four years — for an on-time graduation rate of 91%. Of those 4,741 graduates, 3,036 (64% of graduates) achieved an advanced diploma. Details about on-time graduation for individual high schools are available on the website of the Virginia Department of Education.
School accreditation as determined by the Virginia Board of Education is based on performance on multiple school quality indicators. Scores and pass rates on Standards of Learning tests are among the accreditation factors. Chesterfield County Public Schools students improved or maintained scores on 2023-24 Standards of Learning tests in reading, writing, math and science.
All schools in Chesterfield County Public Schools are accredited for 2024-25:
Elementary schools: Bellwood; Bensley (accredited with conditions); Beulah (accredited with conditions); Bon Air; Chalkley; Marguerite Christian; Clover Hill; Crenshaw; Crestwood; Curtis; Davis; Ecoff; Enon; Ettrick; Evergreen; Falling Creek; Gates; Gordon; Grange Hall; Greenfield; Harrowgate; Hening; Hopkins; Jacobs Road; Matoaca; Moseley; Old Hundred; Providence (accredited with conditions); Reams Road; Robious; Salem Church; Elizabeth Scott; Alberta Smith; Spring Run; Swift Creek; Watkins; Bettie Weaver; Wells; Winterpock and Woolridge
K-8 school: Chesterfield Virtual School (accredited with conditions)
Middle schools: Bailey Bridge; Carver; Elizabeth Davis; Falling Creek (accredited with conditions); Manchester (accredited with conditions); Matoaca (accredited with conditions); Midlothian; Providence (accredited with conditions); Robious; Salem Church; Swift Creek and Tomahawk Creek
High schools: Bird (accredited with conditions); Clover Hill; Cosby; Thomas Dale; James River; Manchester; Matoaca; Meadowbrook (accredited with conditions); Midlothian and Monacan
Alternative school:
Carver College and Career Academy (accredited with conditions)
To continually improve and support the learning of all students, the school system provides targeted support to all schools. Also, Chesterfield County Public Schools directs extra support to accredited-with-conditions schools that is focused on academic goals aligned with school quality indicators.
Gifted education referrals for students in grades 2-12
Gifted learners are students who show the potential for advanced thinking and reasoning, creativity and high achievement. So that schools can support, challenge, enrich and engage gifted students, Chesterfield County Public Schools conducts an annual referral process to identify gifted students. Students are evaluated during the current school year for services that will formally begin in the 2025-26 school year.
Parents, teachers, community members, and students can refer a student for gifted evaluation by filling out this online form.
Oct. 25 is the deadline to refer students currently in grades 2-12 in Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Oct. 25 is also the deadline to refer students in grades 2-12 who are not enrolled in Chesterfield County Public Schools but who are residents of Chesterfield County.
For more information, check out the gifted education overview and the gifted education webpage.
Free online tutoring via Stride is available for grades 3-12
Free online tutoring is now available for students in grades 3-12 via Stride Tutoring. To provide this service, Chesterfield County Public Schools is using funds available through the Virginia Department of Education’s ALL In initiative as well as other funding sources. Students can access free tutoring through Stride as long as funds are available.
To access Stride Tutoring, students along with their families should go to the backpack icon on the RapidIdentity dashboard using their CCPS-issued Chromebook. Click the Stride Tutoring icon under the “District Applications” heading. No additional login credentials are required
Students can reserve time for online video meetings with tutors licensed in subject areas in which they need additional support. Students and families select a tutor based on expertise and availability to fit their schedule, with tutoring available in the evenings and on weekends. Students do not need a teacher referral to schedule a tutoring session. There is no limit to the number of tutoring sessions at this time. Information is available at oneccps.org/tutors.
Free event will feature 10 marching bands
Don’t miss this fall’s marching band exhibition featuring every high school in Chesterfield County Public Schools! Starting at 6:25 p.m. Oct. 7 on the football field of Monacan High (11501 Smoketree Drive), everyone is invited to experience the bold sounds and precision moves of drumlines, brass and woodwinds alongside the beautiful choreography of color guards as 10 halftime shows march across the field. Admission is free. Rain date is Oct. 14.
This video from the 2022 marching band exhibition shows the fun and excitement of the annual event.
This year’s marching band exhibition will begin with a performance of the national anthem by band students from Bailey Bridge, Carver, Manchester and Salem Church middle schools. The high school marching bands will then perform in this order:
Meadowbrook Roaring Regiment
Matoaca Marching Warriors
Manchester Marching Lancers
L.C. Bird Skyhawk Marching Band
Monacan Marching Chiefs
Midlothian Trojan Marching Band
James River Regiment
Clover Hill Marching Cavaliers
Cosby Titan Band
Thomas Dale Marching Knights
Specialty center fairs and open houses offer info for eighth grade families
Each fall, Chesterfield County Public Schools eighth graders explore their options for high school and decide whether or not to apply to a specialty center, governor’s school or regional technology school. This video gives an overview of how those schools provide unique opportunities to explore special interests.
Complete information about the application process is provided at bit.ly/CCPSoptions. That includes the online application form, links to specialty center websites and everything eighth graders need to know about the process. Here are important dates to keep in mind:
Online application opened Oct. 1 and closes Dec. 6 for specialty centers and governor’s schools.
Online application opens Jan. 6 and closes Feb. 14 for CodeRVA.
Informational fairs and open houses offer opportunities for eighth grade families to visit those schools. Here are upcoming dates:
6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 informational fair at Clover Hill High (13301 Kelly Green Drive) featuring information about all high school options for eighth graders in Chesterfield County Public Schools
6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 open house for Governor’s Academy for Health Professions and Therapies at Monacan High (11501 Smoketree Drive)
6 p.m. Oct. 15 open house for CodeRVA Regional High School (2601 Durham St. in Richmond)
6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 open house for Humanities Specialty Center at Monacan High (11501 Smoketree Drive)
6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 open house for International Baccalaureate at Meadowbrook High (4901 Cogbill Road); this International Baccalaureate program is for students zoned for Bird, Thomas Dale, Manchester, Matoaca and Meadowbrook high schools
6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 open house for International Baccalaureate at Midlothian High (401 Charter Colony Parkway); this International Baccalaureate program is for students zoned for Clover Hill, Cosby, James River, Midlothian and Monacan high schools
6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 open house for Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs at Meadowbrook High (4901 Cogbill Road)
6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 open house for Center for Spanish Immersion at Manchester High (12601 Bailey Bridge Road)
6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 open house for Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology (512 W. Washington St. in Petersburg)
Congrats to National Merit Semifinalists!
Thirteen Chesterfield County Public Schools students have been named National Merit Semifinalists:
From Bird High School: Kartikeya Goel
From Clover Hill High School: Dylan W. Dickerson, Sarayu Mandalapu and Benjamin P. Merkel
From Cosby High School: David H. Pennington
From Midlothian High School: Sabrina I. Gernhardt
From Monacan High School: Malcolm D. Schildroth
From Appomattox Regional Governor’s School: Agastyya Kala and Ainsley Ogilvie
From Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School: Michael Klausner, Samantha Schappert, Brenden Stremler and Reese Wu
About 16,000 high school seniors across the country were selected as National Merit Semifinalists this year. They rose to the top of the 1.3 million students who entered the program by taking the PSAT in their junior year. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. These academically talented students now have an opportunity to compete for scholarships that will be offered in the spring.
School psychologists receive Social Justice Award
The Virginia Academy of School Psychologists recognized CCPS school psychologists with the academy’s Social Justice Award. This is only the third time the award has ever been given.
Laura Early leads the Office of Psychological and Diagnostic Services, which includes 33 full-time school psychologists, one part-time school psychologist, nine educational diagnosticians, two school psychology interns and two school psychology practicum students. School psychologists help students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents and other professionals to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments for all students and find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
We’re hiring instructional assistants
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring instructional assistants during a job fair 4-6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Providence Middle School, 900 Starlight Lane. Full position details and job fair registration can be found on the CCPS website.
These positions provide support, under the direction of a special education teacher, to students with individualized education programs.
This job includes classroom duties like recording grades, as well as preparing instructional materials, administering instructional and testing accommodations and more
This position also participates in implementing support for students related to toileting, personal care and basic health-care needs
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Every job available within Chesterfield County Public Schools is posted on the school system's website, including positions for teachers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, facilities employees, bus drivers and more. Find a job that makes a difference: Work in Chesterfield County Public Schools.
We’re hiring bus drivers and transportation workers
Chesterfield County Public Schools is hiring school bus drivers and transportation workers during a job fair 4-6 p.m. Oct. 15 at Manchester Middle School, 7401 Hull Street Road. Full position details and job fair registration can be found on the CCPS website. The school system will also interview applicants for student transporters and bus attendants at this job fair.
For bus drivers, no experience is required and commercial driver’s license training is provided while you work. Starting pay is $23.68 per hour and could be higher with previous experience.
Every job available within Chesterfield County Public Schools is posted on the school system's website, including positions for teachers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, facilities employees, bus drivers and more. Find a job that makes a difference: Work in Chesterfield County Public Schools!
Gates Elementary to host Oct. 17 blood drive
The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive 2-6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Gates Elementary School (10001 Courthouse Road). Click here to make an appointment to donate.
Car and truck show open to all models (including child-size!)
You’re invited to display your car or truck at a River City Cruizers event benefiting the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center. All years, makes and models are welcome — and that includes child-size power wheel and pedal cars! The registration form and vendor details are online.
The event will run 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse, 10101 Courthouse Road. In case of rain, the event will take place Oct. 20.
Registration by Oct. 7 costs $20 per car or truck, and later registration costs $30. Students in Chesterfield County Public Schools get a 50% discount.
For child-size power wheel and pedal cars, advance registration by Oct. 7 is required and costs $5.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event, and admission is free for spectators. In addition to seeing 100+ great-looking cars and trucks, visitors can browse vendor tables, play family-friendly games, possibly win prizes and buy lunch from food trucks.
Oct. 11 event focuses on fire prevention
Chesterfield Fire and EMS invites families to a Fire Prevention Week event 3-6 p.m. Oct. 11 at North Courthouse Library (325 Courthouse Road). The community event will include the fire life safety house, fire safety story walk, games and other activities focused on fire prevention.
Coffee & Conversation offers connections each week
Coffee & Conversation is an easy way to connect with experts offering advice on topics helpful to parents. The free online gatherings take place 1-2 p.m. weekly. See the full schedule and register here for topics of your choice:
Oct. 9 topic is “Starting Early, Finishing Strong: Why School Attendance Matters.”
Oct. 16 topic is “Bullying and Your Child.”
Oct. 23 topic is "Helping Children Deal with Grief "
Mental health support information on the school division website
The school division’s website (oneccps.org) has a new page called Mental Health Support. This page includes information about mental health support and resources available to families, and it also explains the roles of school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers so families can determine the best point of contact when an issue arises.
Help schools and the community by getting rid of your old denim
Turn jeans into jobs while helping your school! Each year in the Denim Drive, families and community members donate used denim clothing of all kinds. Goodwill tracks the denim donated on behalf of each Chesterfield County school, then awards nine cash prizes to the top three elementary, middle and high school PTAs. The denim is sold in Goodwill stores or recycled. Clean out your closet and support schools and job training in the community by bringing your denim donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 19-20 to the Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road).